CLERICS SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO CURB ROADSIDE MEMORIALS

At least four crosses stand on the shoulders of local roads in this city. But those in power have become concerned that four could turn into 40, and maybe even 400.

So religious leaders have submitted a written proposal of ways the city can regulate so-called "roadside memorials," crosses and markers that show where someone died in a traffic accident.

The proposal, among other things, calls for a relatively small, non-religious marker to be placed at the scene of a fatal traffic crash -- but only if the bereaved family wants one. Families could erect their own memorials, but only for up to 30 days after the crash, said Bishop John Erbelding, senior chaplain at the city's police department."I have sat with many a mother and broken the news that their loved ones were lost in a traffic accident," Erbelding said. "We have come up with a consensus of opinions for this matter."

The clerics hope the proposal will respect the memorials bereaved families use for sacred places of reflection but, at the same time, keep the roads free of distractions.

Commissioners decided to get even more input and hold a public workshop on the matter, something they had mentioned in March. This time, however, the as-yet unscheduled meeting would be arranged so a member of each family who has lost a loved one on a Coral Springs road and has planted a marker can attend.

The challenge for city officials may be to have a sober discussion about a highly emotional issue.

"It has the potential to be divisive, but I don't believe it has to be," Mayor John Sommerer said. "And that's the goal, to solve it in a rational fashion so it doesn't have to be divisive."

At least four crosses mark the local roads around the city. Commissioners had discussed whether to regulate the memorials in March, but the issue came up again last month in the wake of news that one of those memorials had been taken.

County workers last month removed a cross in remembrance of Shaun D'Angelo, 19, who died in a crash on Coral Springs Drive north of Wiles Road in July 1998. D'Angelo's family at first did not know who took the cross, and replaced their memorial when they found out.

When city commissioners brought up the matter Tuesday evening, members of the D'Angelo family stepped forward one by one, some breaking down in the middle of their statements, to offer support for allowing roadside memorials in the city.

"What is the problem? This is complete nonsense," said Joseph E. Price, Shaun D'Angelo's grandfather. "[The memorials] may be of assistance to warn other drivers to be careful."

Commissioner Alan Polin had angered the D'Angelos when, back in March, he used the phrase "willy-nilly" to describe a memorial in the city and called for some kind of regulation. Polin said Tuesday evening his position has been misunderstood -- he said he never called for the memorials' removal, only for discussion of a regulation policy.

"Perhaps I didn't use the best words to express myself, and for that I apologize," he said. "I do understand that this issue of creating a memorial . . . is one obviously of great personal sensitivity."

The state has a policy in which bereaved families may apply for a 42-inch-tall, lollipop-shaped memorial marker along state-maintained roads. Families can renew their permit for the marker for up to two years.

Erbelding's proposal was very similar to the state's policy, but his plan allowed for the city to design its own non-denominational memorials. The proposal also called for a larger, more permanent memorial at one of the city's parks for all traffic-accident victims.

Jeremy Milarsky can be reached at jmilarsky@sun-sentinel.com or call 954-572-2020.